Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii

Peace Lily

Low lightEasyToxic to pets
6585°FComfort range
HighHumidity
Background

The peace lily is the plant that tells you exactly what it wants: when it is thirsty the whole plant wilts dramatically, and within hours of a drink it stands back up as if nothing happened. That honesty, plus a tolerance for low light most flowering plants can't match, makes it a genuine beginner's plant.

The white 'flowers' are actually spathes — modified leaves wrapped around a slender spike — and it produces them most freely in medium light with steady moisture and humidity. Brown leaf edges point to dry air, tap-water salts, or overfeeding. Give it a warm, draught-free spot and it will bloom on and off through the year.

Happy in low to medium indirect light — one of the few that flowers away from a bright window. Too much direct sun scorches the leaves; too little light and it simply stops blooming.

Care at a glance
LightLow light
WaterEvery 5–7 days; keep lightly moist
Soil mixStandard well-draining potting mix with a little extra compost
HumidityHigh
Temperature65–85°F
DifficultyEasy
HabitClumping
Mature size1–3 ft tall and wide
PropagationDivision of the clump at repotting
Watering & safety
How to water

Water when the leaves just begin to droop, then drain fully — it recovers within hours of a drink

Drought tolerance

Low — keep to a consistent rhythm and don't let it dry out hard.

Toxicity

Contains insoluble calcium oxalates — mouth, throat, and stomach irritation if chewed. Keep away from pets and children.

The routine

Water when the leaves start to droop; it bounces back fast

every 5–7 days

Feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser

every 6 weeksGrowing season

Wipe the broad leaves to keep them glossy

Brown leaf tips mean dry air, salts, or overfeeding

Divide and repot when the clump crowds the pot

every 1–2 years
Watch for
MealybugsSpider MitesScale